13 resources for families facing food insecurity
An estimated one in four Arizona children don’t have reliable access to food and as the coronavirus pandemic continues, Arizona families with food insecurity face a double burden.
Approximately 400,000 Arizonans are out of work and collecting unemployment benefits, the state maximum of $240 a week, The Arizona Republic reported in September. That number does not include those who have been unable to collect their payments.
Thanks to federally-funded programs during the early days of the pandemic, schools were able to help families by providing free meals — one less item for families to worry about as they simultaneously navigate virtual schooling.
In neighborhoods with predominantly low-income families, some school officials felt relief when the Summer Food Service Program was extended through the end of 2020. The program allows districts to give breakfast and lunch to any child or teenager under 19 years old, regardless if they’re registered at that school district.
“I think pie in the sky, if we were able to feed everybody in our community 18 and under, continuing when kids come back, that would be awesome because we know there’s going to be a need for a long time,” said Michele Moore, food services manager at
Raul H. Castro Middle School in Phoenix.
But schools aren’t the only ones feeding communities. From nonprofits to public libraries, others are making the effort to provide aid.
Below are 13 resources where people can find free meals and groceries, as well as pay-what-you-can produce. For those looking to support, some of these organizations accept monetary donations and are open to volunteers. Reach out through the websites listed for more information.
Arizona Derby Dames
AZDD Inspire is the nonprofit arm of the Arizona Derby Dames, an all-women roller derby league based in metro Phoenix. The nonprofit mentors young, female roller derby athletes to promote leadership and volunteerism, according the organization’s website.
During the pandemic, one of the group’s services include providing free breakfast and lunch bags Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at community centers in metro Phoenix and Tucson.
Details: For the list of locations and times, visit azddinspire.org.
Arizona Food Bank Network
The Arizona Food Bank Network maintains an online directory of emergency food options, such as food banks, pantries and soup kitchens, where users can type in their zip code to find the nearest resource.
Details: Click on ‘Get azfoodbanks.org.
Arizona public schools
Help’
at
With many students still attending remote classes, the federal government has reinstated the Summer Food Service Program through end of 2020. The program provides free school meals to anyone ages 18 and under, regardless if they’re registered at that school district.
People can pick up as many breakfast and lunch bags needed at a participating school or distribution sites. Some school districts are also offering delivery service to apartment complexes and stops along the bus routes.
Details: Check your school district’s website.
Cultural Cup Food Bank
The Cultural Cup Food Bank bills itself as an alternative food bank. In partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank, it provides emergency food boxes for people with dietary restrictions, such as diabetes, food allergies and veganism.
Details: 342 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix. For hours and application requirements, visit culturalcup.com.
Meals on Wheels
There are several regional programs that deliver meals to seniors and homebound individuals living with a disability or illness. The Area Agency on Aging coordinates services by county. City of Phoenix also arranges free meal deliveries.
Details: Search by zip code for a provider on mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
Mountain Park Health Center
Mountain Park Health Center is a nonprofit community health center that’s partnered with St. Mary’s Food Bank to distribute food. The clinic in Maryvale distributes food the first Tuesday of every month, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Details: Maryvale Clinic, 6601 W. Thomas Rd. Phoenix. Visit mountainparkhealth.org for other upcoming locations and dates.
Orchard Community Learning Center
The Orchard Community Learning Center is a farm and school that promotes food justice and healthy living in south Phoenix. Education programs include composting, garden beds and the youth-run Healthy Roots Cafe.
Orchard operates a community pantry at VH Lassen Elementary School, open Thursday to the public from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The nonprofit also works with chef Maria Parra Cano of Healthy Roots Cafe and Sana Sana for meal services.
Details: VH Lassen Elementary School, 909 W. Vineyard Rd., Phoenix. Follow Orchard Community Learning Center and Sana Sana Foods on social media for the date and location of the next community meal.
Phoenix Public Library Kids Cafe
The Kids Cafe at Phoenix public libraries are open Monday through Friday for curbside pickup for youth under the age of 18. Parents or caregivers do not need to bring children to receive meals but will be asked to provide proof of children, as well as each child’s name and age. On Fridays the cafe offers double meals to provide for Saturday.
Details: For locations and hours of operation click ‘Kids’ then ‘Kids Cafe’ at phoenixpubliclibrary.org.
Phoenix Mutual Aid
The Phoenix Mutual Aid Network and the Phoenix Black Organizing Collective host a weekly community resource exchange in downtown Phoenix. Every Saturday from 8-11 a.m. at Heritage Square, on the southwest corner of Seventh and Monroe streets, visitors can find free food and drinks, as well as cleaning supplies and medical and hygiene products.
Those who wish to donate food and supplies can bring them to Heritage Square on Thursdays and Fridays, 2-6 p.m., and Saturdays, 8-11 a.m. Please visit the group’s website for the updated list of what supplies are needed.
The group is also asking for donations of refrigerators and freezers to set up community fridges in the Valley. Their first community fridge is located at Palabras bookstore in Phoenix.
Details: Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix. To learn more about mutual aid, visit mutualaidphx.com. For updates on the Phoenix Mutual Aid Network, follow the group on Facebook or Instagram.
St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates two free food programs:
● Dining rooms in five locations across the Valley. During COVID-19, meals will be packaged for guests to take with them.
● Home visits, during which trained volunteers bring food boxes and offer emotional support.
St. Vincent de Paul also operates a food reclamation facility where grocers, food drive organizers and restaurants can donate food.
Details: Go to stvincentdepaul.net and hover your mouse over “Programs.”
Spaces of Opportunity
Groups that use the Spaces of Opportunity community garden bring fresh fruit and vegetables to south Phoenix. Project Roots, a nonprofit founded by former Phoenix Mercury player Bridget Pettis, offers produce on a donation basis at the garden’s farmers market.
40 Akers, a farming group with a plot at the garden, lets people contact them if they want to meet up at the garden to harvest food at no cost. Spaces of Opportunity also works closely with the Orchard Community Learning Center and Unlimited Potential, which distributes free tote bags of produce at the farmers market.
Details: 1200 W. Vineyard Road, Phoenix. Follow Spaces of Opportunity on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
TigerMountain Foundation
The TigerMountain Foundation, founded by Darren Chapman, has a community garden in south Phoenix. The nonprofit aims to teach agriculture and landscaping skills to youth and adults to keep them out of jail.
TigerMountain’s harvest can be found at several farmers markets in the Valley, available on a donation basis and with EBT accepted.
Details: Visit tigermountain foundation.org for farmers markets locations and how to volunteer.
Unlimited Potential
Unlimited Potential is a nonprofit that provides literacy and education opportunities to the underserved, predominantly Latino community in Phoenix. The organization offers English language and GED classes to adults.
In response to COVID-19, Unlimited Potential provides free produce tote bags every Monday from11a.m-2 p.m. at Brooks Academy and the Spirituality Center in Phoenix, as well as on Saturdays at the Spaces of Opportunity farmers market.
Details: Brooks Academy, 3146 E. Wier Ave., Phoenix. Spirituality Center, 1302 E. Apollo Rd., Phoenix. Follow Unlimited Potential on Facebook for updates.